Sanchez homers twice in Charleston win

by 40 Comments

Game 115: Rookie vs. Rookie
Grandy, Cano, Nova lead the way in Yanks win over Angels

Ravel Santana got some love in today’s Minor League Update (subs. req’d), with Kevin Goldstein simply saying the “19-year-old Dominican is a high-ceiling tools machine with above-average power and speed.”

Triple-A Scranton (4-2 loss to Gwinnett)
Dan Brewer, RF: 0 for 0, 1 HBP, 1 CS – got hit then got thrown out trying to steal in the first, then immediately came out of the game
Jordan Parraz, RF, Brandon Laird, 3B & Greg Golson, LF: all 0 for 3 – Parraz walked … Laird drove in two … Golson walked and struck out three times
Chris Dickerson, CF & Jesus Montero, C: both 0 for 4, 1 BB – Dickerson struck out once, Montero twice … C-Dick also got picked off first
Mike Lamb, DH: 1 for 3, 2 R, 1 BB
Jorge Vazquez, 1B: 2 for 3, 1 HBP
Luis Nunez, 2B: 1 for 4, 1 2B, 1 K
Doug Bernier, SS: 1 for 2, 2 BB – it seems like he walks a lot more than he really does (just 28 BB in 77 games)
D.J. Mitchell, RHP: 8 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 2 WP, 10-2 GB/FB – 62 of 101 pitches were strikes (61.3%) … picked a runner off first … way to be efficient
Logan Kensing, RHP: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1-1 GB/FB – ten of 14 pitches were strikes (71.4%)

Double-A Trenton (9-3 loss to Binghamton)
Austin Krum, LF, Melky Mesa, CF, Damon Sublett, DH & Jose Gil, C: all 1 for 4 – Krum walked and struck out twice … Mesa scored a run … Sublett doubled, drove in a run, and struck out twice … Gil drove in a run, struck out, and committed a throwing error
Jose Pirela, SS & Corban Joseph, 2B: both 1 for 5 – Pirela drove in a run and committed a fielding error … CoJo doubled
Rob Lyerly, 1B: 0 for 4, 3 K, 1 E (fielding)
Zoilo Almonte, RF & Addison Maruszak, 3B: both 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 BB – Maruszak doubled and committed a fielding error
Shaeffer Hall, LHP: 4.1 IP, 11 H, 8 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 11-1 GB/FB – damn you defense
Chase Whitley, RHP: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 3-0 GB/FB – he was up to 92 on the gun
Wilkins Arias, RHP: 2 IP, zeroes, 2 K, 0-2 GB/FB
Kanekoa Texeira, RHP: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 1-0 GB/FB

High-A Tampa (4-0 loss to Clearwater in seven innings) makeup of yesterday’s rain out
Walt Ibarra, SS: 1 for 3, 1 2B
Cody Johnson, LF: 1 for 2, 1 2B, 1 K – that’s strikeout number 168 in 404 PA (41.6%)
Everyone Else: combined 0 for 18, 1 BB, 8 K – Luke Murton drew the walk
Jose Quintana, LHP: 4 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 2 WP, 2-4 GB/FB – picked a runner off first … that’s ten runs total in his last two starts (8.1 IP), so let’s see how he comes out of this
Dan Burawa, RHP: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 4-2 GB/FB

High-A Tampa (6-5 loss to Clearwater in seven innings)
Abe Almonte, CF: 2 for 3, 3 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB, 1 E (throwing) – 16 for his last 42 (.381)
Walt Ibarra, SS, DeAngelo Mack, RF & Kelvin Castro, 3B: all 0 for 3 – Ibarra struck out twice … Mack walked, whiffed, and committed a throwing error
Kyle Roller, 1B: 1 for 4, 1 RBI
Luke Murton, DH: 2 for 4, 3 RBI, 1 K
Cody Johnson, LF: 0 for 2, 1 BB, 2 K – make that 170 K in 407 PA (41.8%)
Tyson Blaser, C: 1 for 2, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 E (pickoff)
Emerson Landoni, 2B: 1 for 3, 1 R
Francisco Gil, RHP: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 7-3 GB/FB, 1 E (pickoff)
Preston Claiborne, RHP: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HB, 2-1 GB/FB
Ryan Flannery, RHP: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1-0 GB/FB – the walk was intentional

Low-A Charleston (7-4 win over West Virginia)
Eduardo Sosa, CF & Kelvin DeLeon, RF: both 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 2B – Sosa walked, stole two bases, and struck out twice … DeLeon drove in a run and whiffed
Shane Brown, DH: 2 for 5, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 K
Kevin Mahoney, 3B & Jose Mojica, SS: both 0 for 3, 1 R, 1 K, 1 HBP
Ramon Flores, LF, Anderson Feliz, 2B & Jeff Farnham, 1B: all 1 for 4 – Feliz and Farnham both struck out and stole a base … Farnham also committed a fielding error
Gary Sanchez, C: 2 for 3, 2 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 1 BB – that’s seven homers in his last seven games … 16 HR in 342 PA … Montero hit 17 HR in 569 PA with Charleston in 2008
Shane Greene, RHP: 6.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 10-3 GB/FB
Kelvin Perez, RHP: 1.1 IP, zeroes, 2 K, 1-0 GB/FB
Mark Montgomery, RHP: 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1-0 GB/FB – 37-10 K/BB in 20.1 IP

Short Season Staten Island (5-4 loss to Williamsport)
Mason Williams, CF: 3 for 5, 1 R, 1 3B, 2 RBI, 2 SB – 19 for his last 39 (.487)
Cito Culver, SS: 0 for 5, 2 K, 1 E (fielding)
Ben Gamel, RF & Ali Castillo, 2B: both 2 for 4 – Gamel doubled … Castillo scored a run, got picked off first, and struck out
Cody Grice, LF: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 K, 1 SB
Tyler Austin, 3B: 1 for 2, 1 RBI, 2 BB – first game in the field since coming off the DL
Reymond Nunez, 1B: 0 for 4
Zach Wilson, DH: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Nick McCoy, C: 0 for 1 – left the game after grounding out in the second
Jhorge Liccien, C: 0 for 2
Wilton Rodriguez, RHP: 5 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 6-3 GB/FB
Fred Lewis, LHP: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 4-0 GB/FB
Branden Pinder, RHP: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HB, 1-1 GB/FB – almost a perfect picket fence, just needed a strikeout

Rookie GCL Yanks were rained out. They’re going to play a pair tomorrow.

Game 115: Rookie vs. Rookie
Grandy, Cano, Nova lead the way in Yanks win over Angels
  • Jim

    Gary Sanchez is a BEAST

  • Jaremy

    Culver is an error machine down in SI, wow…

    • MikeD

      Jeter made 56 errors at SS as a 19-year-old. Means little at this point.

  • Xnyles

    Gary “Oh MY”

  • Jim S

    Does it seem like Shaeffer Hall could be one of those guys who pitches better in the majors when he has real defenders behind him? Don’t ground ball pichers frequently have worse luck in the minors? Or am I making this up?

  • boogie down

    So, there’s a non-zero chance that Gary Sanchez starts 2012 in Tampa, right?

    • Slugger27

      i would think tampa is an obvious starting spot for him in 2012

    • Tom T

      I see Mike Axisa has everyone saying “non-zero” chance whenever possible.

  • JonS

    Who decides the sample for their current slump or streak?

    Why is Mason Williams 19 for his last 39?

    Who decided to use 39 ABs for that sample? I have always wondered this. Lol

  • http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

    “that’s seven homers in his last seven games…16 HR in 342 PA…Montero had 17 HR in 569 PA with Charleston in 2008″

    Yeah, but Montero had a better everything else.

    • boogie down

      Still, if power is the last tool to present itself, it’s worth noting that Sanchez is obliterating a now-top prospect’s pace in the same league.

      Let’s hope Sanchez further develops the hit tool.

      • http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

        And the defense tool too. ;)

  • Guest

    I believe Montero threw out two baserunners and didn’t give up any steals.

    Based on what everyone says has been holding him back, an 0 for 4 with two runners thrown out and no steals allowed is a bigger positive sign than a 3 for 4 with a HR (the latter only tells us what we already know: he can hit).

    • Jim

      except he hasnt really hit this year and we would use him primarily as a DH in the bigs, so i would much rather have 3-4 with a HR

      • http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

        He’d be so much more valuable as a catcher though.

      • Guest

        Jim:

        We have an overwhelming amount of evidence that Montero is a very good hitter. He has not hit up to his standards this year, yes. But I don’t think it’s a sign of his true talent more than it is just a mediocre year in the early stages of his development. It happens. He’s seven years from his prime, there will be ups and downs.

        But the fundametal facts still hold: He is 21 at AAA, youngest position player in the international league, and OPSing nearly .800 in a DOWN year. He can hit.

        We’re still dreaming he can catch, or at least fake it well enough that its worth it to carry his superior bat (cough, Jorge, cough). It might be the impossible dream, but nights like tonight help me to keep hope alive.

        • Sabr King

          Posada’s minor league stats.

          http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=posada001jor

          The guy spent three seasons in AAA until the age of 24.

          Mike Piazza had 74 PAs in the majors at age 23.

          http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/piazzmi01.shtml

          While there are other guys like Pudge and Mauer who flew by their sytems, they were very likely, more complete catching prospects than Montero is today.

          A-Rod’s on his way back, and while the short bench and DH platoon isn’t ideal, there’s little need to rush an incomplete prospect and/or expose a flawed potential trade piece to GMs.

          • Jim

            I dont think its a rush at all to send him up to the show. We need a right handed power bat in our lineup and Montero is better than Andruw Jones. And as far as exposing a flawed potential trade piece, i think that ship has sailed. If the yanks were going to trade Montero, they would have done it by now.

            • http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

              The right handed power bat you’re looking for is on his way. His name isn’t Jesus, It’s Alex Rodriguez.

              • Jimmy McNulty

                Close enough.

          • Carl LaFong

            Jorge stole a combined 17 bases in A+ & AA in 1993? Is that possible? “Legs” Posada; who knew?

            • Jedile

              Isn’t that when he was a second basemen? I don’t remember when he became a catcher.

        • Addison

          Sure, there’s overwhelming evidence Montero can hit..in A ball.

          There’s overwhelming evidence Brandon Belt, Mike Moustakas and Mike Trout could hit at that level too.

          If you’re not concerned about Montero’s AAA performance, then you’re not paying attention.

          He was physically mature as a 16 year old. He’s gained about 25 pounds since he signed but hasn’t grown at all.

          His domination was because he was physically superior to his opponents, not more talented.

          Now that the playing field has “leveled out”, the weaknesses in his offensive game are becoming just as prevalent as those in his defensive game.

          Montero has almost 900 plate appearances over two full AAA seasons and with the exception of two hot streaks, one this year of about 30 games and one last year of roughly the same amount, he’s been below league average offensive player.

          Time to face reality, boys and girls..Montero’s not “all that” and his best value to the Yankees right now is as an off-season trade chip.

  • Jimmy McNulty

    Mike, any word on that 15 year old Mexican pitcher?

    • http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

      Roberto Osuna you mean? I heard the Blue Jays are going to sign him.

      • Jimmy McNulty

        Yeah, him.

      • Jimmy McNulty

        And yeah I just read that the Jays have basically inked him already. Damn, too bad, I woulda liked to have a high ceiling young prospect that there’s still sky high hopes for.

        • http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

          That’s a shame. I was clamoring for Osuna too.

          • http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

            That “15 year old already pitching to the equivalent of AA hitters” stuff really got me excited.

  • https://twitter.com/TheRealJeromeS Jerome S.

    Can we agree not to refer to Dickerson as C-Dick? it seems, um… bad.

    • http://johnsterling.blogspot.com/ Xstar7

      I think it’s awesome! I usually just skim through the prospects not named Jesus Montero, ManBan, Dellin, Romine, Sanchez, Williams, DBJ, etc. But when I saw Mike’s nickname for Dickerson I almost pissed myself laughing.

  • Reggie C.

    Gary Sanchez is hitting well enough to assure the organization that he’ll be ready to start at Tampa next season. I wonder what his numbers would look like had he not lost those at-bats due to behavioral problems.

    • crawdaddie

      Actually his numbers and play might be better now because he lost those at-bats for a behavioral readjustment.

  • infernoscurse

    promote mason williams already, what else does he need to do?

    • https://twitter.com/TheRealJeromeS Jerome S.

      Hit for a full season?

    • Samuel

      No way the Yankees promote someone this late from short season ball. That group (Williams, Culver, Gumbs, DeLuca) have played the entire summer together.

      When they promote to Charleston, it is usually early in the short season, like they did with Montgomery.

      The SI Yankees are still in first place and will make the playoffs. The Yankees organization likes to see kids play together and win a championship at a young age. The Yankees may even ADD an arm or two to help them win.

      It keeps the young kids hungry to win as they move up the levels.

  • daneptizl

    Sancchez is at 17 homers also.

    • http://twitter.com/#!/AngeloInNY Angelo

      I was going to say this. So Sanchez has the same amount of homeruns that Montero had at this level in fewer at bats.